Little Wildhorse and Bell Canyon Loop

Little Wildhorse Canyon is one of the most popular slot canyons in Utah. It is fairly easily accessible relative to other slot canyons, and no training or advanced skills are needed to go through it. This was the first slot canyon we did when we first lived in Utah. It was the first slot canyon we took our kids into when we moved back. We decided it was time to tackle the full 8-plus mile Little Wildhorse Bell Canyon loop. 

While these two canyons are next to one another, they are very different. Little Wildhorse has much narrower sections. There are a few slender sections, and lots of stretches of really cool undulating paths that the water took. There are several areas of climbing up a wash area or wedged boulders, no equipment is needed. 

You will reach the top of Little Wildhorse Canyon, which will connect to a OHV road. Take a left, get some elevation under those shoes. Don’t forget to turn around and look behind you as you hike away from Little Wildhorse to see the grand panoramic view of the canyon walls. Watch for your turn out on the left to head down Bell Canyon. 

Bell Canyon was beautiful, though not as dramatic as its neighbor. There were more color variations and an interesting difference in sections of rock texture, which was interesting considering how close these canyons are to one another. Bell Canyon was perhaps a bit more pet friendly for terrain. 

We recommend completing this loop in a counter clockwise direction, entering Little Wildhorse, head left when you come out of the canyon, then descend through Bell Canyon. The majority of Bell Canyon is pebbly sand. Walking down this is much easier than slogging up it, in our humble opinion. 

Difficulty: Moderate, related to total distance. 

Trail Stats: 8.67 miles, loop, 1102 feet elevation gain. These are our stats with completing the loop in a counterclockwise direction.

Trail Finding: Straight forward. 

Conditions: Lots of loose, pebbly sand, some scrambling and obstacle navigation. All doable without special equipment. 

Would I Repeat This: Perhaps. We have done Little Wildhorse Canyon three times now, might be time for exploring some other slot canyons.

Parking: Parking available.

Timing: Absolutely do not enter these canyons if it is raining, or forecasted to rain. No exaggeration, people have died as a result of flash flooding.

Learn more about slot canyon safety in the ‘Let’s Do This’ section of this past post, click on the link below. 

Downloaded Map: Not necessary, but I always like to know how much longer.

Fees: None. 

Trails: Goblin Valley State Park and associated trails, Little Wildhorse Window, and more.